Читать книгу The Plumed Serpent. Historical Novel - Life and Love after the Mexico Revolution онлайн

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‘The pulquería was called La Flor de un Día — the Flower of a Day,’ said Owen, with an apprehensive laugh.

Kate hesitated, looking at her man.

‘We may as well,’ she said.

Away gallivanted the Ford, full speed to Hell.

‘Do tell him not so fast,’ said Kate.

‘I don’t know how,’ said Owen.

He shouted in good English:

‘Hey! chauffeur! Not so fast! Don’t drive so fast.’

‘No presto. Troppo presto. Va troppo presto!’ said Kate.

The man looked at them with black, dilated eyes of fathomless incomprehension. Then he put his foot on the accelerator.

‘He’s only going faster!’ laughed Owen nervously.

‘Ah! Let him alone!’ said Kate, with utter weariness.

The fellow drove like a devil incarnate, as if he had the devil in his body. But also, he drove with the devil’s own nonchalant skill. There was nothing to do but let him rip.

‘Wasn’t that a ghastly tea-party!’ said Owen.

‘Ghastly!’ said Kate.

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Kate woke up one morning, aged forty. She did not hide the fact from herself, but she kept it dark from the others.